(29 Nov 1998) Spanish/Nat
Families of the some of the thousands who "disappeared" under former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet celebrated his continued detention on Sunday.
Pinochet, 83, was arrested in London on October 16 following a request from two Spanish judges who want him to face charges of murder, torture and genocide.
Britain must now decide whether to block proceedings to extradite Pinochet or open the way for Spain and other European countries to try him on charges against human rights.
Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok was in the Chilean capital Santiago on a trade visit and met with the widow of Salvador Allende.
Allende was deposed and killed after Pinochet's military coup in 1973.
The relatives of those who were killed or simply vanished during General Augusto Pinochet's rule gathered to pay tribute to their loved ones and celebrate Pinochet's arrest and detention.
At a fair organised by Chile's Communist Party in the capital Santiago, placards and photos of Pinochet's alleged victims were displayed.
The bitter memories of those who lost relatives under Pinochet's 17-year rule are still very much alive, but on Sunday in Santiago the mood was one of festivity.
Food and music accompanied the proceedings, and for many it was a day out.
Communist party members said the exposition was an expression of delight on the part of the Chilean people over Pinochet's arrest and possible extradition for trial in Spain.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
This celebration is to show how jubilant the Chilean public is over Pinochet's detention. It is not just a statement, it is more a party for the people (to be able to celebrate).
SUPER CAPTION: Rene Amigo, member of the Chilean Communist Party
Elsewhere in the capital it was a normal Sunday, with much of the mainly Catholic population attending church in the morning.
There was no evidence of the angry demonstrations that have come to characterise the city in the past few days.
In Santiago's main square on Saturday crowds of anti-Pinochet demonstrators had marched in defence of Britain's ruling that Pinochet was not immune from prosecution.
But on Sunday army bands were out in force, playing music as weekend entertainment.
Santiago remained calm on Sunday, but the Chilean government has stepped up its demand that former military strongman Augusto Pinochet be returned to Chile for trial.
The Chilean government is adamant that truth and justice will only be attained if the former dictator is tried in the country where the alleged crimes were committed.
Pinochet, 83, who is a senator for life in Chile, was arrested in a London clinic on October 16 following a request from two Spanish judges who want him to face charges of murder, torture and genocide.
On Wednesday, Britain's highest court ruled that Pinochet was not immune from prosecution.
He must now remain in Britain pending his possible extradition to Spain on charges of genocide and torture.
The deadline for representations from those supporting and opposing the former dictator's extradition is fixed for Monday.
A court hearing is then scheduled for December 11, when the 83-year-old senator will have to go to Bow Street Magistrates Court in central London to hear the decision reached by the British Home Secretary.
The political and economic fallout of Pinochet's arrest and detention has already been felt in Britain.
Whether it will extend to the other European countries - Switzerland, France and Belgium - that have also lodged arrest warrants against Pinochet will depend on next week's decision.
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